Synonyms of encourages

encourages

verb

present tense third-person singular of encourage

1

as in inspires

to fill with courage or strength of purpose

a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inspires
• emboldens
• reinforces
• stimulates
• heartens
• cheers (up)
• provokes
• buoys (up)
• bears up
• reassures
• animates
• enforces
• assures
• inspirits
• invigorates
• strengthens
• enlivens
• bucks up
• chirks (up)
• steels
• stirs
• excites
• energizes
• fortifies
• galvanizes
• rallies
• quickens
• boosts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• disheartens
• daunts
• undermines
• depresses
• saddens
• demoralizes
• weakens
• debilitates
• dispirits
• intimidates
• enfeebles
• hamstrings
• psychs (out)

2

as in promotes

to help the growth or development of

asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promotes
• cultivates
• fosters
• nurtures
• furthers
• advances
• nourishes
• supports
• assists
• forwards
• endorses
• advocates
• incubates
• nurses
• upholds
• aids
• subsidizes
• underwrites
• advertises
• backs
• champions
• endows
• funds
• finances
• stakes
• works (for)
• patronizes
• boosts
• abets
• campaigns (for)
• publicizes
• touts
• plugs
• agitates (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• prevents
• inhibits
• hinders
• prohibits
• forbids
• frustrates
• opposes
• enjoins
• proscribes
• counters
• bans
• contends (with)
• outlaws
• bars
• combats
• suppresses
• fights
• stifles
• represses
• subdues
• battles
• retards
• impedes
• arrests
• halts
• checks
• squashes
• interdicts
• obstructs
• interferes (with)
• squelches
• encumbers
• hobbles
• snuffs (out)
• shackles
• fetters
• manacles

3

as in provokes

to rouse to strong feeling or action

the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provokes
• stimulates
• inspires
• motivates
• stirs
• arouses
• incites
• excites
• induces
• moves
• instigates
• sparks
• motives
• drives
• fires (up)
• triggers
• piques
• impassions
• revs (up)
• ignites
• activates
• bothers
• angers
• galvanizes
• animates
• energizes
• inflames
• fans
• enrages
• quickens
• foments
• vitalizes
• abets
• builds a fire under
• kindles
• keys (up)
• sets off
• gets
• annoys
• irritates
• teases
• ferments
• raises
• upsets
• exasperates
• aggravates
• whips (up)
• taunts
• maddens
• pumps up
• vexes
• jeers
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• appeases
• placates
• tranquilizes
• pacifies
• mollifies

4

as in urges

to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urges
• nudges
• prompts
• pushes
• exhorts
• spurs
• coaxes
• propels
• goads
• eggs (on)
• provokes
• prods
• stimulates
• drives
• implores
• presses
• beseeches
• hurries
• rushes
• pressures
• cajoles
• incites
• hustles
• importunes
• adjures
• foments
• instigates
• wheedles
• nags
• high-pressures
• stirs (up)
• blandishes
• needles
• soft-soaps

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• deters
• inhibits
• dissuades
• brakes
• restrains
• curbs
• constrains
• checks
• holds back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of encourages

Meta encourages its users to name their AIs—and encourages its AIs to think like humans. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Scott-Chandler says assistance will be available for those who qualify and encourages families not to hesitate to seek help. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Milliken's company encourages more poop scoopers to get into the business by offering classes and a community for budding entrepreneurs on Skool, an online education platform. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Inviting customers into the boardroom Smith encourages staff outside of the marketing function to come forward with ideas. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Even if consumers have difficulty discerning chemicals in flossing products, the environmental scientist encourages people not to stop flossing. — Margaret Hetherman The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Chips are products of an organizational culture—both within companies and between them—that encourages people to look beyond their own personal horizons. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Part of what’s keeping inflation high is that Americans overall are continuing to spend, which encourages businesses to keep raising prices for their products and services. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Prosecutors described a subculture within that online network that glorifies mass killers and encourages imitation. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026